What is the length of the mid segment of the trapezoid made by the vertices A(0, 5), B(3, 3), C(5, -2) and D(-1, 2)?

A) 5.41
B) 7.2
C) 3.61
D) 5.71

Can somebody walk me through how to solve this problem?

Question

What is the length of the mid segment of the trapezoid made by the vertices A(0, 5), B(3, 3), C(5, -2) and D(-1, 2)?

A) 5.41
B) 7.2
C) 3.61
D) 5.71

Can somebody walk me through how to solve this problem?

mathstudent55 · Answer

The first step is to plot it, so you can easily tell which sides are parallel, and which sides are legs.

mathstudent55 · Answer

Then, find the midpoints of the legs.

mathstudent55 · Answer

These midpoints are the endpoints of the midsegment.
Then use the distance formula to find the length of the midsegment.